Stamps Profiles

Douglas J. Cuomo

Profile:

Douglas J. Cuomo was invited to be a Stamps Distinguished Visitor during the 2012-2013 season at the University of Miami Frost School of Music because of his major accomplishments as a composer in varied media.

He has written extensively for concert and theatrical stages, television and film. His expressive musical language is a natural outgrowth of his eclectic background and training. While in his teens, Cuomo became a professional guitarist, alternating years of college with years on the road, ultimately completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Miami.

Cuomo’s first major success came with the Peabody Award-winning NBC drama Homicide: Life on the Street, which he scored for seven seasons. He has received three BMI Television Music Awards, and his theme for Sex and the City was chosen by TV Guide as one of the top 50 television themes of all time. His numerous credits include series, movies, and documentaries for CBS, NBC, ABC, HBO, and VH1, and scores for independent films including Revolution #9, The Terrorist and Crazy Love.

Cuomo’s concert works have received awards including: OPERA America Opera Fund Grant; two National Endowment of the Arts awards for Artistic Excellence in the Creation and Development of New Work; an Argosy Foundation Grant; and a grant from the Mary Flagler Care Charitable Trust. Arjuna’s Dilemma, a 70-minute opera-oratorio, has been recorded on the Innova label, featuring Indian singer Amit Chatterjee, members of Anonymous 4, tenor Tony Boutté, tabla player Badal Roy, the Ethel String Quartet, and pianist Kathleen Supové. A Kyrie for And on Earth, Peace was commissioned by the vocal ensemble Chanticleer and recorded on Warner Music. Cuomo’s compositions are published by Schott Music.